The Easy Way to Choose CD Players
May 01 '01
The Bottom Line Choose well andyour player will last for years. Don't, and brain repo man will be visiting youshortly after you go insane when things don't go right with your new toy.
Anytime you venture into your local department store, electronics shop, or audiophile hangout, you will be stunned (and, no doubt confused) by the dizzying arrays of portable CD players available on the market, and, apparently, all of which are "just the thing for you" - ignore salespeople, all of them. Well, most of them, anyway =).
Choosing a portable CD player is quite a simple process, and it shouldn't take you more than an hour or two (seriously!). Many of the CD players on the market have common features, and usually it is only looks or aesthetics that separate the various models/manufacturers.
In particular, examine:
a) Price - Price is a major determinant, obviously. You will be able to get a CD player for $60. It will, however, SOUND like a $60 player - i.e crappy. Most of the time, be prepared to spend between $120 and $200 to get a quality player, and that should include:
i) Megabass - Enhances bass sounds without compromising treble notes
ii) At least 10 seconds anti-shock - The time in which a CD player "reads ahead" in order that it doesn't skip when you shake it/drop it etc (40 seconds is about the most you'd want, however).
iii) AA Battery Usage - Sounds silly, but true. Unless you can find a cheap source of reliable AAA batteries, get an AA using machine. You will save more in the long run (and won't have any trouble finding them, either)
iv) AVLS (Automatic Volume Limiting System) - Will save your eardrums in the long run. Believe me! =)
v) "Hold" Feature - Freezes the buttons until you release the switch, to prevent your CD player from stopping/playing volume 150/being annoying without your permission
b) Aesthetics - CD players are cool things, and cool things look good too. If a CD player is pleasant on the eye, at least check it out. Unlike other things, CD players that look good tend to sound good too. Try to find the smallest CD player you can afford - it frees up real estate in your pocket, and won't make you look like you are "happy to see someone" when all you are doing is listening to music. Potentially embarressing. Fatally embarressing =).
c) Features - If a CD player has features such as digital output, examing whether or not you really need them. For instance, if you don't have an MD player (or you aren't an audio professional), what is the point in paying extra money for the digital output which you won't need.
d) Warranty - CD players sometimes break, and anything less than an one year warranty will not suffice, two is about the standard. If you negotiate hard, you should also be able to get the salesperson to throw in a few little extras, like a set of rechargable batteries (very useful when you have to use your player on the road a lot).
e) Sound - Obviously, the most important consideration. If a CD player sounds like the actions of a talentless band playing in a steel Port-A-Potty, then DON'T BUY IT. Look elsewhere. Plenty of other players do sound good, especially those from established companies such as Sony.
Which Companies Are the Best to Buy From?
As before, Sony, but also Sharp and Panasonic. Look elsewhere with caution, but companies such as Aiwa can also produce a good "diamond in the rough", but there is also a lot of rough. Be careful, but don't produce a thesis on your investigations. Finding a CD player is easy enough, you just have to know what you are looking for. Easy, huh?
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jdhpolson
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Member: James Polson
Location: Sydney, Australia
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 7 members
About Me:
19 year old in Sydney, Australia.
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